Prevailing mechanism Three modes allow the addition of allylstannanes to carbonyls: thermal addition, Lewis-acid-promoted addition, and addition involving prior transmetalation. Each of these modes invokes a unique model for stereocontrol, but in all cases, a distinction is made between
reagent and substrate control. Substrate-controlled additions typically involve chiral aldehydes or imines and invoke the
Felkin-Anh model. When all reagents are achiral, only simple diastereoselectivity (
syn versus
anti, see above) must be considered. Addition takes place via an SE' mechanism involving concerted dissociation of tin and C-C bond formation at the γ position. With the allylstannane and aldehyde in high-temperature conditions, addition proceeds through a six-membered, cyclic transition state, with the tin center serving as an organizing element. The configuration of the double bond in the allylstannane controls the sense of diastereoselectivity of the reaction.
(2) This is not the case in Lewis-acid-promoted reactions, in which either the (
Z)- or (
E)-stannane affords the
syn product predominantly (Type II). The origin of this selectivity has been debated, and depends on the relative energies of a number of acyclic transition states. (
E)-Stannanes exhibit higher
syn selectivity than the corresponding (
Z)-stannanes.
(3) In the presence of certain Lewis acids, transmetalation may occur before addition. Complex reaction mixtures may result if transmetalation is not complete or if an equilibrium between allylic isomers exists. Tin(IV) chloride and indium(III) chloride have been employed for useful reactions in this mode.
(4) Enantioselective variants A wide variety of enantioselective additions employing
chiral, non-racemic Lewis acids are known. The chiral (acyloxy)borane or "CAB" catalyst
1,
titanium-
BINOL system
2, and
silver-
BINAP system
3 provide addition products in high
ee via the Lewis-acid-promoted mechanism described above. : ==Scope and limitations==